Independent Candidate for Statewide Office Can an Independent capture a statewide office in California? Seems like impossible odds in a state so large in which voters pay little attention to candidates until Election Day. Being associated with a major political party gives a candidate a foundation for his or her campaign. However, in the case […]

For the business community, the difficulties of the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) are similar to what business faced under the burden of workers compensation costs over a decade ago. Small businesses particularly had to cope with workers comp costs that stood at twice the national average threatening the viability of many establishments. While workers […]

The #MeToo crusade has shined a light in the dark corner of American life including California’s state capitol. Accusers’ stories of sexual harassment are believed more readily than in the past and now the accused are immediately ostracized, most stepping back from their jobs while often declaring their innocence. Justice for the victims and proper […]

In reaction to federal tax changes, the state of California’s message seems to be that the feds shouldn’t gain tax revenue from the well-off and businesses—that’s the state’s job. By limiting write-offs on federal taxes for income and property taxes some of our income taxpayers and property taxpayers will be injured by having to pay […]

The Public Policy Institute of California poll revealed a tight race for governor between Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with nary a Republican in sight. Yet, in the end it may be Republican voters who could choose the next governor because of California’s top two primary system. With the […]

In tax conscience California, a split in attitude: the granddaddy of taxpayer protections looks safe while a threatened new gas tax increase might feel the same way according to the latest Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) poll. Proposition 13, the nearly 40 year-old taxpayer shield, is being threatened with a proposal to split property […]

A judge’s recall moves forward as another test to California’s judiciary and a challenge to judicial independence. Judge Aaron Persky will face voters in a recall election now that enough signatures have been certified to present his recall to voters. A light sentence delivered by Persky against Stanford swimmer Brock Turner for rape of an […]

In reporting on the move by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to scrutinize the high speed rail, Los Angeles Times columnist George Skelton mentioned a “Plan B” for rail discussed by the proponents of the audit request, Democratic Senator Jim Beall and Republican Assemblyman Jim Patterson. The idea is to run a rail from the San […]

The Republican Party in California is fighting for relevance – “Dying at the box office,” as former Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger once put it—so you would expect an effort to be made to field known, credible candidates in all statewide races. But with little over a month to go to file for a constitutional, statewide […]

No avoiding the high-speed rail issue in the governor’s race now that the California State Auditor has been authorized to take a deep dive into the troubled project. The audit will take six to nine months according to the auditor. Assuming the more likely longer time frame the auditor’s report will come down in October […]